Monthly Archives: August 2012
Shrines
The theme of Sacred Harvest Festival this year was shrines. That’s where I was camping at the beginning of the month and where I also presented two workshops (neither of them about shrines.)
I really enjoy visiting shrines. I’m fond of the side chapels in churches. I like walking through cemeteries. I nod at the statues in Asian restaurants. I’m happy to stop and rest on memorial benches and enjoy the view. I readily light a candle, or a stick of incense or drop a bit of libation when invited to participate in the honoring of a shrine.
Visiting a shrine is like meeting the relatives. It’s a level of intimacy that, although usually not too risky, isn’t something where participating makes everyone who visits comfortable. A shrine, like the relatives, must be approached with a willingness to simply accept them as they are. Shrines are a gift to and from those who tend them.
I notice shrines when I visit peoples homes, even when they are tucked away and unremarked upon. Some shrines are a very conscious part of a spiritual practice. Some are entirely unconscious as though shrines are hardwired into our genetics. Photos collected with the dead relatives in one cluster and the living in another are effective ancestor shrines. Collections of shells from a visit to the ocean or acorns, or stones often honor the memory of a place. People have shrines to music, and art, and literature which they honor but do not necessarily acknowledge in a conscious way.
In my book, Manifest Divinity, I identify the Divine very broadly. I suggest that anything that produces that feeling of awe is inherently a manifestation of the Divine. Shrines, for me, are a way for people to connect with the Divine in their day to day lives. By visiting them I get a chance to touch the Divine the way others experience it and expand my own experience and understanding.
Here are a few more shrines:
What shrines do you keep in your home or visit regularly?
Manifest Divinity
I’m not burying the lead today: My book, Manifest Divinity, is now out, released, available for purchase!!!
I’ve opened a new fan page on face book Lisa Spiral and encourage everyone to like it.
I’m Celebrating!! and scrambling to plan some kind of book release/local author/book signing event.
Sadly, what I’m not doing is a lot of actual writing. Go figure.
My hope is that I’ll be back on the keyboards pounding away this week and that by next week the blog will have, maybe not more excitement, but more content.
In the meantime I sincerely hope that you will spread the word, buy the book and encourage others to as well. I’d love for some of you readers to write up a review for Amazon (I’ll remind you in a few months I promise. 🙂 ) Like the face book page and stay in touch.
Thank you all for your great encouragement and support!!
Pause
After a week of camping and returning to a lonesome kitty who won’t leave my side (or lap) I am in allergy hell and can’t manage to put a coherent thought together for this blog.
I went for my allergy shots today and the nurse sent me back home to take some Benadryl and maybe come back on Friday. It’s pretty sad, but sometimes our bodies just demand a little downtime.
I’m also pausing because………. The book is coming out this month!!!!!
The anticipation is killing me, but here’s the info that the publisher has sent out announcing the imminent release of Manifest Divinity.
Manifest Divinity Book Information
Immanion Press
8 Rowley Grove, Stafford, ST17 9BJ, UK
Manifest Divinity
Published August 2012
Catalogue Number: MB157
ISBN: 978-1-905713-80-6
Price: £9.99; $18.99; $15.90 AusD; $15.90 CanD
116 Pages
Cover Artist: Storm Constantine/Danielle Lainton
Editor: Marianne Braendlin
Interior Layout: Taylor Ellwood
Cover Text
Many people in today’s world are searching for something to fill a spiritual need. We are yearning for a more personal relationship with the Divine. We long for the magic, the Awe of a fulfilling spiritual life.
Manifest Divinity is about welcoming the Divine into our lives. Honoring the individual’s personal relationship with the Divine, we explore the many opportunities for Divine presence in our daily lives. Not only is this book an overview of the different ways the Divine may manifest, but it is also a beginning tool to enhance the developing personal relationship between the reader and Divine.
Awe is heavily underrated, but it is a sign of Divine presence. The author’s intention with this book is to open up the readers understanding of the wide variety of Divine presence while respecting their personal religious framework. You might say she is on a mission to promote Awe-some-ness and bring enchantment back into our daily lives.
Reviews, Interviews and Bookings: Contact Publicity Rep: Larisa Hunter at publicity@immanion-press.com
More next week on both the trip and the book.